Wednesday winner Magic Circle sneaks in at bottom of Ebor field

Magic Circle, winner of the 2m½f handicap on the opening day of York, is set to attempt an audacious double after sneaking in as the last runner for Saturday's Betfred Ebor.

A 4lb penalty for Wednesday's victory secured the Ralph Beckett-trained five-year-old a place in Europe's richest Flat handicap and his odds have continued to shorten – 10-1 (from 14) – following the final declaration stage.

Speaking after Magic Circle's victory on Wednesday, Beckett said: "It was always the intention to leave him in if he won. He loves it here and it would mean a lot to the owners [Mr and Mrs Aykroyd] as they’re from Yorkshire."

Ante-post favourite Flymetothestars stands his ground and connections will have welcomed the heavy rain on Wednesday as he is unlikely to run without some ease under foot.

The Mark Johnston-trained Soldier In Action, who carries a 4lb penalty for his win at Goodwood, heads the weights on 9st 12lb and the two reserves are Tawdeea and Sir Chauvelin.

Magic Circle has been drawn in stall five – next door to Soldier In Action in four – while Flymetothestars was issued 21.

Three of the horses that finished behind Barraquero in the Richmond Stakes renew rivalry in Saturday's Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes with Nebo (second), Cardsharp (third) and Headway (sixth) among a 12-strong field.

At Goodwood on Saturday, last year's winner Lightning Spear tackles five rivals – Hathal, Oh This Is Us, Opal Tiara, Richard Pankhurst and Zonderland – in the Group 2 Grosvenor Sport Celebration Mile Stakes.

Frankuus, winner of the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes last time, features alongside Autocratic and Spark Plug in an eight-strong line-up for the Group 3 Bet & Watch At sunbets.co.uk Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor on Saturday evening.

Saturday's declarations at York

Read exclusive previews of York's Ebor festival from 6pm tonight on racingpost.com